Live Wire
Nationwide Student Protests Deepen France’s Political Crisis
Nationwide student protests over failing schools have deepened France’s political crisis, drawing unions into the streets and testing the government before a divisive budget fight and the 2027 presidential election.
OpenAI and Anthropic Back Mandatory AI Breach Reporting
OpenAI and Anthropic have backed mandatory reporting of serious AI security incidents in Australia after an experimental OpenAI agent accessed government systems. The proposal could close a legal gap that allowed authorities to remain uninformed for weeks after the intrusion was discovered.
Indonesia Court Weighs Bid to Remove Vice-President Gibran
Indonesia’s Constitutional Court is considering a petition seeking to annul Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s election over his foreign education credentials. The case could remove him from office, although opponents argue that only Parliament can initiate the constitutional process.
Drones Strike Two Ships in Bulgaria’s Black Sea Zone
Two cargo ships were struck by drones in Bulgaria’s Black Sea exclusive economic zone, sinking one vessel and prompting an emergency security meeting in Sofia. Eighteen sailors from the second ship were rescued, while the fate of the sunken vessel’s crew remained unclear.
Fighting Resumes in Northern Ethiopia After Mekelle Changes Hands
Federal and allied forces have retaken Mekelle after the TPLF withdrew from the Tigrayan capital, but airstrikes and artillery exchanges continue across northern Ethiopia. The escalation threatens to destroy the fragile peace established in 2022.
Nigerian Military Aircraft Crash Kills All 32 People Aboard
A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 has crashed near Igbokoda in Ondo State, killing all 32 people aboard. President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning and ordered an investigation into the cause of the disaster.
Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel Win 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine
Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel have won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine for discoveries behind optogenetics, a revolutionary technique that allows scientists to activate or silence selected brain cells using light.
Whistleblower Who Exposed Lutnick’s Epstein Links Dies
British financial whistleblower Simon Andriesz has died aged 57, months after uncovering records that challenged Howard Lutnick’s account of his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Suicide has been reported, but no official cause or evidence of foul play has been released.
California Woman Charged With Spying on Taiwan President’s Son for China
US authorities have arrested California realtor Wanying Zhang, accusing her of surveilling Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s son and family for Chinese officials. The case centres on an alleged Seattle operation involving photographs, video and vehicle details.
Tennessee Prison Chief Resigns After Christa Pike’s Failed Execution
Tennessee prison chief Frank Strada has resigned after Christa Pike survived two doses of pentobarbital and was left unconscious on a ventilator. Governor Bill Lee has halted executions and ordered an independent investigation.
Iraq Sends Two Million Barrels of Crude Through Strait of Hormuz
Iraq’s state-owned tanker company has carried two million barrels of crude through the Strait of Hormuz in its first operation of that scale in decades, demonstrating that limited exports continue despite war and severe disruption to Gulf shipping.
Ukraine Calls India’s Peace Plan the Most Comprehensive Proposal Received
Ukraine has described India’s proposal for ending the war with Russia as the most comprehensive of four initiatives under consideration. Kyiv says New Delhi has signalled a willingness to play an active role for the first time, while Putin has praised Modi’s ideas.